Christmas Tree Lightings and Parades

Kickoff the holiday season by heading to one of the many Christmas tree lightings. Even better, several of the tree lighting ceremonies include a Christmas parade. Festive lighting evening holiday parades are lots of fun – as long as it isn’t too cold. We also have information on daytime parades.

Southeast Michigan Christmas Tree Lightings & Parades

Tree lightings and holiday parades can be worth a drive. So, I’ve collaborated with several other sites to bring you events throughout Southeast Michigan.

Friday, November 16, 2018

Briarwood Mall – 100 Briarwood Circle Ann Arbor
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Briarwood Mall is holding a Tree Lighting Ceremony this year to reveal their new holiday decor and feature tree in the Macy's Court. Don't miss Santa's Arrival as part of the SantaCon 5K Walk for Change from 5-7p. Santa will make it snow in the mall. Wands will be passed out to children to help Santa light the tree. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served. Entertainment will include the G Men - an a cappella group from UM, the Saline Dance Team, and Radio Personality Lucy Ann Lance as the emcee. Pre-register to attend and the mall will be selectingread more…

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Depot Town – Cross Street Ypsilanti
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Join Depot Town for a fun tree lighting event. The Ypsilanti Community Choir, Santa, and Mrs. Claus, and Depot Town merchants will be on hand for Christmas Carols and lighting the Depot Town tree - across from Sidetrack. After the lighting, follow Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Ypsilanti Automotive Museum for free cider, hot chocolate, cookies, candy canes. One of Santa's LIVE reindeer will be at the event. Plus kids can write letters to Santa. The event is sponsored by Bank of Ann Arbor. Why not arrive early and have dinner at Maiz Mexican Cantina. They offer Kids Eat Free onread more…

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

KeyBank – 100 W. Michigan Ave Saline
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Join Saline for their Tree Lighting Ceremony. There will be cookies, cocoa, and music. The Tree is in front of KeyBank at the corner of Michigan Ave & N. Ann Arbor St.

Friday, November 30, 2018

Concordia University – 4090 Geddes Rd Ann Arbor
Time: 2:00pm-7:00pm
Concordia University Ann Arbor invites you to attend their second A Manor Christmas. Tours of the historic Earhart mansion decorated for the season, a European-style Christmas market, and festive entertainment will make for a truly memorable and very merry weekend. There will be a Tree Lighting Ceremony beginning at 5:30p on Friday. Christkindlmarkt Experience the merriment of the season with our traditional European-style Christmas market. Artisans, greens, and seasonal foods will be located along the outdoor pathways of the Earhart Manor. Vendors will also be selling items in a heated tent. There are more food options in 2018. The historic greenhouseread more…

Kerrytown Market & Shops – 407 N. Fifth Avenue Ann Arbor
Time: 4:00pm-10:00pm
There will be lots of activity in Kerrytown Market & Shops and the Ann Arbor Farmers Market on Friday, November 30. Kids Zone New for 2018 is a KidsZone from 4-6p with crafts, games, and Santa's arrival at 5p. Planned activities include: Pipe Cleaner Ornament Craft Coloring Bags from Kerrytown Market & Shops Face Painting Balloon Animals Santa! And maybe a few more surprises. Christkindlmarket Christkindlmarket is an annual free outdoor holiday market. There will be local and regional artisans selling hand-crafted ornaments, toys, and gifts. There will also be German foods, sweets and beverages. This year they've added a heatedread more…

Downtown Manchester – Main Street Manchester
Time: 6:30pm
The Manchester Christmas Parade is part of the Christmas in the Village Celebration on November 30 and December 1. The parade features lit floats. It starts at 6:30p on Friday, November 30.

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Downtown Saline – 10 North Ann Arbor St Saline
Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
Saline will be holding their 43rd Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 2. We've attended the parade in the past. Be sure to bundle up, particularly if it's cold outside. Also, note that the parade includes performances at the grandstand, so there can be gaps in the parade past the grandstand or stoppages before the grandstand.

Downtown Chelsea – Main St and Middle St Chelsea
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Join Chelsea Hometown Holidays for their 14th Annual Chelsea Lights Parade along Main Street. The parade will include lights, floats bands, and of course Santa. Parade starts at Chelsea State Bank and travels north on Main Street to Jackson. It does not cross the train tracks. Join Lights Out After the Parade at the Clocktower Commons. There will be music, s'mores fire pits, hot chocolate, & a photo booth.

Downtown Milan – Main St Milan
Time: 6:00pm
Head to Milan for their annual Christmas Parade. The parade is along Main Street, beginning on West Main and ending at the Old Fire Barn where children can visit with Santa. There will be floats, walkers, horses, bands, and more.

Downtown Ida – Lewis Avenue Ida
Time: 7:00pm-10:00pm
Ida Michigan hosts a large light parade with more than 130 illuminated and animated entries. The parade fun kicks off at 6p with a fun run on the parade route, followed by a fireworks show at Monroe Community College at 6:30p, and the parade at 7. After the parade entries will be in the school parking lot for pictures until 10p. Arrive earlier in the day for more Christmas fun like craft & vendor shows, Santa's Zoo, Video Game Truck, Story time with Santa & Mrs Claus, and more.

Friday, December 7, 2018

Ypsilanti District Library – Downtown – 229 West Michigan Avenue Ypsilanti
Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm
Join Ypsilanti for a fun tree lighting event. Start at 5:30p with cookie decorating and hot chocolate. At 6p, there will be caroling led by Ypsilanti Community Choir followed by a visit from Santa. This will happen on the Plaza of the Ypsilanti District Library - Michigan Avenue branch.